đŸ’„Join UPSC 2027,2028 Mentorship (July Batch) + XFactor Notes & Microthemes PDF

Subject: Trivia

  • Learn from your mistakes BUT don’t slack off while you attempt

    Every year, we try to read the UPSC examiner’s mind to position our preparation on the right track and more often than not, the said examiners do allow us a window to take a detour through their mind and marvel at the beauty of the art of crafting questions by them. And the beauty lies not in making the question which no one has ever heard of but ensuring that some questions are such that you can attempt them even if you just devoted 2 minutes of your long tea break in discussing what others had been studying.

    Here are few such question which only need a calm look at the question and common sense and you can’t mark them wrong even if you mark them while half asleep:

    BUT if you got these incorrect then you need to start studying from this moment itself.

    This blog is specifically for the junta who joined the final 4 FLTs with us. If you have joined and haven’t attempted the FLT #2, please do so. Click here.

    Here’s the list from the FLT #2:


    Q.3) India successfully tested the Reusable Launch Vehicle technology demonstrator recently.

    What are the benefits of developing a reusable launch vehicle?

    1. It shall cut down on the cost of satellite launches.
    2. It shall be a step forward for manned space missions in future.

    Select the correct alternative using the codes given below.

    1. a) 1 only
    2. b) 2 only
    3. c) Both 1 and 2
    4. d) Neither 1 nor 2

    Q.4) In recent times, few places have been in news due to local movements centred around ecological/environmental issues. In this context consider the following pairs:

    1. Mithi Virdi : Maharashtra
    2. Niyamgiri Hills : Odisha
    3. Plachimada : Tamil Nadu

    Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?

    1. a) 2 only
    2. b) 1 and 2 only
    3. c) 1 and 3 only
    4. d) 1, 2 and 3

    Q.6) After Gujarat and Arunachal Pradesh, which of the following pairs represents the western most and eastern most states of India?

    1. a) Rajasthan and Nagaland
    2. b) Jammu & Kashmir and Manipur
    3. c) Rajasthan and Manipur
    4. d) Jammu & Kashmir and Nagaland

    Q.13) Which of the following is/are the pollutants released into the air by combustion of fossil fuels?

    1. Oxides of carbon
    2. Oxides of sulphur
    3. Oxides of hydrogen
    4. Oxides of nitrogen

    Select the correct alternative using the codes given below.

    1. a) 1 and 2 only
    2. b) 1, 2 and 3 only
    3. c) 1, 2 and 4 only
    4. d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

     

    Q.14) Which one of the following conventions/protocols is associated with prohibition of trade in wildlife and plants that can threaten their survival?

    1. a) Nagoya Protocol
    2. b) CBD
    3. c) Cartagena Protocol
    4. d) CITES

    Q.20) Consider the following rivers:

    1. Alaknanda
    2. Ramganga
    3. Pindar

    Which of the above rivers flow through Uttarakhand?

    1. a) 1 and 2 only
    2. b) 1 only
    3. c) 2 and 3 only
    4. d) 1, 2 and 3

    Q.22) A joint sitting of the two houses of the Parliament may be called upon by

    1. a) the Prime Minister
    2. b) the Rajya Sabha Secretariat
    3. c) the President
    4. d) the Leader of the house in Lok Sabha

    Q.24) With respect to the Indian freedom struggle, a violent incident at Chauri Chaura led to the withdrawal of which one of the following movements?

    1. a) Civil Disobedience Movement
    2. b) Quit India Movement
    3. c) Non-Cooperation Movement
    4. d) Swadeshi Movement

    There are 6 more questions in this paper (FLT #2) which everyone should have got correct. But we won’t prick you more.

    Hope you are writing your Full Length Mocks seriously. Learn from the explanations but do not go easy on them when you are attempting the tests. There will be many among you who will score an ace on subjects they did not even study properly, but could make an educated guess on.

    Make sure you are one of them!


    The FLTs are being held at prelims.civilsdaily.com

  • UPSC Prelims Modern History Trend Analysis: Part 5

    Pre 2009

    1. One of the following began with the Dandi March?

    1. Home Rule Movement     
    2. Non – Cooperation Movement
    3. Civil Disobedience Movement
    4. Quit India Movement

    Dandi march is very very imp. for prelims and mains. Even last year question on dandi march in south India was asked

    Learning – Poorna Swareaj resolution and Dandi march, Choice of salt law

    2. With which one of the following movements is the slogan ”Do or Die” associated?

    1. Swadeshi Movement     
    2. Non – Cooperation Movement
    3. Civil Disobedience Movement
    4. Quit India Movement

    QIM has been asked so many times. Almost every year there is one question on QIM.

    Learning – Phases of QIM, Contrast QIM with other Gandhian movements, Karnataka method

    3. Who of the following founded the Ahmedabad Textile Labour Association?

    1. Mahatma Gandhi     
    2. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
    3. N. M. Joshi     
    4. J. B. Kripalani
    • Gandhiji first three satyagrahas very important
    • One of them was Ahmedabad textile mill workers strike <this association went on strike>
    • There he would find this association
    • In this movement  Ambalal Sarabhai’s sister, Anasuya Behn, was one of the main lieutenants of Gandhiji.

    4. In the context of the Indian freedom struggle 16th October 1905 is well known for which one of the following reasons?

    1. The formal proclamation of Swadeshi Movement was made in Calcutta town hall
    2. I Partition of Bengal took effect
    3. Dadabhai Naoroji declared that the goal of Indian National Congress was Swaraj
    4. Lolananya Tilak started Swadeshi Movement in Poon
    • Questions from one of the most imp. topic <learn everything about it, sequence of events, when was partition 1st announced, when it took effect etc.>
    • there could be confusion b/w 1 and 2
    • The formal proclamation of the Swadeshi movement was made on August 7, 1905 at a meeting held at the Calcutta Town hall.
    • At the August 7 meeting, the famous Boycott resolution was passed.
    • Boycott was first suggested by Krishan Kumar Mitra in Sanjivani in 1905.

    5. In the ”Individual Satyagraha”, Vinoba Bhave was chosen as the first Satyagrahi. Who was the second?

    1. Dr. Rajendra Prasad     
    2. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru
    3. C. Rajagopalachari     
    4. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
    • J.L.Nehru. idea was to court arrest by breaking a law individually <which law did he break?>
    • Third was Brahma Datt, one of the inmates of the Gandhi’s Ashram
    • It’s important to remember that the Individual Satyagraha was not to seek independence but to affirm the right of speech <Gandhiji did not want t embarass Britain during 2nd world war, hence was not in favour of mass movement>

    Learning – CDM v/s Individual civil Disobedience movement, Gandhi v/s Subhash debate

    1.  Consider the following statements:

    The Cripps Proposals include the provision for

    1. Full independence for India
    2. Creation of Constitution making body.

    Which of the statements given above is are correct?

    1. 1 only     
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2     
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    • 1 is wrong. It provided for dominion and that’s one of the reason why congress rejected the Cripps proposal <India would be a dominion associated with the United kingdom – Cripps propsal>
    • It provided for constitution making body and for the 1st time England conceded that constitution making would be sole responsibility of Indians
    • This was the one such propsal which was rejeected by all including Congress, League Hindu Mahasabha, Sikh, Dali

    Learning -:Cripps proposals, Wavell plan, timeline of events from 2nd word war to independence

    7. During the freedom struggle, Aruna Asaf AIi was a major woman organizer of underground activity in :

    1. Civil Disobedience Movement
    2. Non-Cooperation Movement
    3. Quit India Movement     
    4. Swadeshi Movement

    Underground activity was the 3rd phase of quit India movement, so obviously Aruna Asaf Ali would have organised that during that movement only.

    Learning – three phases of quit India movement

    8. In collaboration with David Hare and Alexander Duff, who of the following established Hindu College at Calcutta?

    1. Henry Louis Vivian Derozio     
    2. Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar
    3. Keshab Chandra Sen     
    4. Raja Rammohan Roy

    That Everything about Raja Ram Mohan Roy is important, I have repeated ad nauseum

    9.Who of the following Prime Ministers sent Cripps Mission to India?

    1. James Ramsay MacDonald     
    2. Stanley Baldwin
    3. Neville Chamberlain     
    4. Winston Churchill
    • Cripps mission came to India in 1942.
    • World war 2 was going on then
    • You all know Winston Churchill was war time PM. Answer is clear now

    Learning – mcdonald, communal award and Poona pact

    10. During the Indian Freedom Struggle, why did Rowlatt Act arouse popular indignation?

    1. It curtailed the freedom of religion
    2. It suppressed the Indian traditional education
    3. It authorized the government to imprison people without trial
    4. It curbed the trade union activities
    • Repeat
    • Imprisonment without trial. For how many months?

    11. Consider the following statements:

    1. The first telegraph line in India was laid between Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) and Diamond Harbour.
    2. The first Export Processing Zone in India was set up in Kandla.

    Which of the statements given above is/ are correct?

    1. 1 only     
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2     
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    • 1st telegraph line in 1850 <who was the governor general?>
    • 1st EPZ in 1956

    12. Consider the following statements:

    1. The discussions in the Third Round Table Conference eventually led to the passing of the Government of India Act of 1935.
    2. The Government of India Act of 1935 provided for the establishment of an All India Federation to be based on a Union of the provinces of British India and the Princely States.

    Which of the above statements is/ are correct?

    1. 1 only     
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2     
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    • GOI act 1935 very important
    • 2nd statement is true. It provided for an all India federation
    • RTCs were held to discuss further constitutional advance of India in 1930s so obviously 1st us also true

    Learning – GOI Act 1935, round table conferences and Gandhi Irwin pact

    A few difficult questions from CAPF 2015

    1. Which one of the following statements about the Gandhi-Irwin Pact is NOT correct?

    1. Gandhi wrote a letter seeking an interview with the Viceroy
    2. Civil Disobedience movement was to be discontinued
    3. The imprisoned freedom fighters were to be released
    4. All the lands that had been confiscated were to be returned to the original owners

    Only the land that had not been sold was to be returned

    2. Which one of the following was NOT the feature of the Home Rule movement in India?

    1. Boycott and Picketing
    2. Two separate Home-Rule Leagues rather than one All-India Home-Rule Organisation
    3. Setting up of discussion groups and reading rooms
    4. Sale and circulation of pamphlets
    • Boycott and picketing was done in Swadeshi movement and Gandhian movements
    • Home rule league was more of an intellectual sort of movement which mainly attracted educated people in urban areas

    3. Which of the following represents the main phases of the Quit India Movement ?

    1. Strikes, boycotts, and picketing in urban centres
    2. Widespread attacks in rural areas on the many symbols and means of colonial rule and authority, e.g. railways, telegraph lines, and Government buildings
    3. Formation of Home Rule leagues
    4. The ‘Karnataka method’

    Select the correct answer using the code given below :

    1. 1 and 2 only
    2. 2, 3 and 4
    3. 1, 2 and 4
    4. 1 and 4 only
    • Phases of QIM very important
    • There was formation of parallel govts not home rule leagues
    • Home rule leagues were formed in Home rule movement

    P.S. This completes the analysis of history. Do solve last yaer questions of history of various UPSC papers and from 2000 to 2008 CSE prelims history portion

    P.P.S. – Analysis of geography or art and culture/ancient/ medieval India will be done from tomorrow.

  • Open Discussion for Full Length Mock #3

    What’s this?

    Discussion blog page for those who just attempted FL#3. Discussion is open for any question which you had a doubt about, brainstorming on ways to arrive at a particular answer, any other interesting tit bit that you may share etc.

    Where are the prelims mocks held?

    Go to the link and start attempting the mocks. Click here. 100 Questions – True to UPSC pattern.

    When will the detailed explanations be uploaded?

    The detailed explanations will be provided to subscribers only. You can find the explanation pdf uploaded on the Document centre within the portal on the coming Sunday.

  • UPSC Prelims Modern History Trend Analysis: Part 4

    IAS pre 2010

    1. By a regulation in 1793, the District Collector was deprived of his judicial powers and made the collecting agent only. What was the reason for such regulation?

    1. Lord Cornwallis felt that the District Collector’s efficiency of revenue collection would enormously increase without the burden of other work
    2. Lord Cornwallis felt that judicial power should compulsorily be in the hands of Europeans while Indians can be given the job of revenue collection in the districts
    3. Lord Cornwallis was alarmed at the extent of power concentrated in the District Collector and felt that such absolute power was undesirable in one person.
    4. The judicial work demanded a deep knowledge of India and a good training in law and’ Lord Cornwallis felt that District Collector should be only a revenue collector

    Obviously concentration of power in one hand wasn’t good

    Learning – Reforms by Lord Cornwallis, Administrtative reform, Judicial reforms, commercial reforms, Cornwallis code

    2. With reference to Simon Commission’s recommendations, which one of the following statements is correct?

    1. It recommended the replacement of diarchy with responsible government in the provinces.
    2. It proposed the setting up of interprovincial council under the Home Department.
    3. It suggested the abolition of bicameral legislature at the Centre.
    4. In recommended the creation of Indian Police Service with a provision for increased pay and allowances for British recruits as compared to Indian recruits.
    • Simon commission came to investigate workings of govt of India act 1919 and Govt of India act 1935 was enacted on the recommendation of Simon commission
    • GOI act 1935 abolished dyarchy in provinces and gave them autonomy
    • Answer is clear

    Learning – boycott of Simon commission, assassination of Saunders, Nehru report, RTCs  

    3. Four resolutions were passed at the famous Calcutta session of Indian National Congress in 1906. The question of either retention OR of rejection of these four resolutions became the cause of a split in Congress at the next Congress session held in Surat in 1907. Which one of the following was not one of these resolutions?

    1. Annulment of partition of Bengal.
    2. Boycott.
    3. National education
    4. Swadeshi
    • Repeat
    • 4th resolution would obviously be on partition of Bengal not annulment

    Learning – politics played by moderates in this session, immediate cause of split in congress, Delhi durbar and annulment of partition

    4. After Quit India Movement, C. Rajagopalachari issued a pamphlet entitled “The Way Out”. Which one of the following was a proposal in this pamphlet?

    1. The establishment of a “War Advisory Council” composed of representatives of British India and the Indian States.
    2. Reconstitution of the Central Executive Council in such a way that all its members, except the Governor General and the Commander-in- Chief should be Indian leaders.
    3. Fresh elections to the Central and Provincial Legislatures to be held at the end of 1945 and the Constitution making body to be convened as soon as possible.
    4. A solution for the constitutional deadlock.
    • Way out would be way out of deadlock i.e constitutional deadlock as congress and Muslims leagues did not agree to Cripps proposals,  also k/as rajgopalachari formula
    • It was rejected by congress though Gandhi did talk to Jinnah based on this formula

    Learning – points of contention on Cripps proposals and Wavell plan, Rajgopalachari formula / CR formula

    5. Who among the following Governor Generals created the Covenanted Civil Service of India which later came to be known as the Indian Civil Service?

    1. Warren Hastings
    2. Wellesley
    3. Cornwallis
    4. William Bentinck

    Cornwallis – father of civil services

    Learning – Evolution of civil services, Macaulay committee

    6.With reference to Pondicherry (now Puducherry), consider the following statements:

    1. The first European power to occupy Pondicherry were the Portuguese.
    2. The second European power to occupy Pondicherry were the French.
    3. The English never occupied Pondicherry.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 and 3 only
    3. 3 only
    4. 1, 2 and 3

    3 is clearly wrong as Britain did occupy Pondicherry but returned it back, NCERT British – French conflict

    Learning – Carnatic Wars and treaties,

    7. For the Karachi session of Indian National Congress in 1931 presided over by Sardar Patel, who drafted the Resolution on Fundamental Rights and Economic Programme?

    1. Mahatma Gandhi
    2. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru
    3. Dr. Rajendra Prasad
    4. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
    • Repeat, covered in titbit
    • In this, congress told in concrete terms what Swaraj would mean in real terms to people. Provinces based on language were also announced

    Learning – imp points of this programme and differences with fundamental rights of independent India, Bombay Manifesto

    8.Who among the following were official Congress negotiators with Cripps Mission?

    1. Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Patel
    2. Acharya J. B. Kripalani and C. Rajagopalachari
    3. Pandit Nehru and Maulana Azad
    4. Dr. Rajendra Prasad and Rafi Ahmed Kidwai
    • Gandhiji stopped negotiating after RTC. Obviously tallest leaders would be the negotiators in such important proposals.
    • Others were Patel and Rajgopalachari
    • Both Congress and leagure rejected the propsal

    Learning – point of contention b/w league and congress over Cripps proposals, why did congress reject Cripps, Cripps offer an improvement over August offer

    9. What was the immediate cause for the launch of the Swadeshi movement?

    1. The partition of Bengal done by Lord Curzon
    2. A sentence of 18 months rigorous imprisonment imposed on Lokmanya Tilak
    3. The arrest and deportation of Lala Lajpat Rai and Ajit Singh; and passing of the Punjab Colonization Bill
    4. Death sentence pronounced on the Chapekar brothers

    Repeat, very imp.

    Learning – Sequence of events in Swadeshi movement, Resolutions passed in Calcutta session, Politics played, Formation of Muslim League, Split in congress, annulment of partion, reunification

    10..Consider the following statements:

    1. Dr. Rajendra Prasad persuaded Mahatma Gandhi to come to Champaran to investigate the problem of peasants.
    2. Acharya J. B. Kriplani was one of Mahatma Gandhi’s colleagues in his Champaran investigation.

    Which of the statements given above is/ are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    • A farmer Rajkumar Shukla not Dr. Rajendra Prasad persuaded Gandhiji
    • Gandhiji was accompanied by Babu Rajendra Prasad, J. B. Kripalani, Mahadev Desai Gandhijee

    Learning – Gandhiji’s first three satyagrahas and associated leaders

    11..Consider the following statements:

    1. The “Bombay Manifesto” signed in 1936 openly opposed the preaching of socialist ideals.
    2. It evoked support from a large section of business community from all across India.

    Which of the statements given above is/ are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    • Bombay plan and Bombay manifesto are different
    • Bombay plan was during WW 2
    • In Bomaby Manifesto, they actually opposed Nehru’s socialist ideas / cooperative ideas
    • I am not sure about support from a large section but as it was proposed by leading Businessmen, might be true

    Learning – Freedom movement and capitalist class, Bombay plan

  • UPSC Prelims Modern History Trend Analysis: Part 3

    Pre 2012

    1. Consider the following statements :

    The most effective contribution made by DadabhaiNaoroji to the cause of Indian National Movement was that he

    1. exposed the economic exploitation of India by the British
    2. interpreted the ancient Indian texts and restored the self-confidence of Indians
    3. stressed the need for eradication of all the social evils before anything else

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    (a) 1 only

    (b) 2 and 3 only

    (c) 1 and 3 only

    (d) 1, 2 and 3

    • Asked many times indirectly
    • He was a moderate congress leader who presented economic critique of colonialism.
    • He wasn’t a social reformer. You don’t read his name in social reform movement chapter obviously 2 and 3 are wrong

    Learning – economic critique of colonialism, books written by Nairoji, ranade, R. C. Dutt

    1. Which of the following parties were established by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar?
    1. The Peasants and Workers Party of India
    2. All India Scheduled Castes Federation
    3. The Independent Labour Party

    Select the correct answer using the codes given below :

    (a) 1 and 2 only

    (b) 2 and 3 only

    (c) 1 and 3 only

    (d) 1, 2 and 3

    • The Peasants and Workers Party of India was founded in 1947. The party was founded in Maharashtra by Tulsidas Jadhav, Keshavrao Jedhe and others.
    • Scheduled Castes Federation (SCF) was founded by Dr. Ambedkar in 1942 to fight for the rights of the Dalit community. SCF was the successor organization of the Independent Labour Party led by Ambedkar.

    Learning – newspapers and other publication by Gandhiji in India and south Africa,  ashrams established by Gandhiji, parties established by Ambedkar

    1. Mahatma Gandhi undertook fast unto death in 1932, mainly because:

    (a) Round Table Conference failed to satisfy Indian political aspirations

    (b) Congress and Muslim League had differences of opinion

    (c) Ramsay Macdonald announced the Communal Award

    (d) None of the statements (a), (b) and (c) given above is correct in this context

    Very famous incident. Gandhi took fast unto death on the announcement of communal award and Poona pact was signed after that with agreement of Gandhiji and Ambedkar

    Leaning – evolution of separate electorate in British Raj,  three round table conferences, participation of Congress and outcome

    1. Consider the following :
    1. Assessment of land revenue on the basis of nature of the soil and the quality of crops
    2. Use of mobile cannons in warfare
    3. Cultivation of tobacco and red chillies

    Which of the above was/were introduced into India by the English?

    (a) 1 only

    (b) 1 and 2

    (c) 2 and 3

    (d) None

    • Tobaco was introduced by Portuguese. Everyone knows that
    • 1 was done even by Raja Todermal

    Learning – things introduced by British, Portuguese and Mughals

    1. Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding BrahmoSamaj?
    1. It opposed idolatry.
    2. It denied the need for a priestly class for interpreting the religious texts.
    3. It popularized the doctrine that the Vedas are infallible.

    Select the correct answer using the codes given below :

    (a) 1 only

    (b) 1 and 2 only

    (c) 3 only

    (d) 1, 2 and 3

    • 3 is wrong. That Vedas are infallible was propagated by Swami dayanand saraswati and Arya samaj
    • 2 is common theme across socioreligious reform movement
    • Exclude 3, include 2

    Learning – brahmo samaj v/s arya samaj, split in brahmo samaj and Arya samaj, everything about Raja Ram Mohan Roy

    1. The Rowlatt Act aimed at:

    (a) compulsory economic support to war efforts

    (b) imprisonment without trial and summary procedures for trial

    (c) suppression of the Khilafat Movement

    (d) imposition of restrictions on freedom of the press

    • Repeat
    • On the recommendations of sedition committee. Imprisonment without trial. For how many months?

    Learning – Rowlatt satyagraha, revolutionary terrorism/ extremism, HSRA, Yugantar, Abhinav Bharat

    1. The Lahore Session of the Indian National Congress (1929) is very important in history, because
    1. the Congress passed a resolution demanding complete independence
    2. the rift between the extremists and moderates was resolved in that Session
    3. a resolution was passed rejecting the two-nation theory in that Session

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    (a) I only

    (b) 2 and 3

    (c) 1 and 3

    (d) None of the above

    • Repeat. All options are repeat
    • 1st is true poorna swaraj resolution
    • 2 is wrong, it was done in Lucknow session in 1916
    • 2 nations theory had not yet formed to merit passing a resolution rejecting the theory

    Learning – Swaraj resolution, Poorna Swaraj resolution, Pakistan resolution

    1. During Indian freedom struggle, the National Social Conference was formed. What was the reason for its formation?

    (a) Different social reform groups or organizations of Bengal region united to form a single body to discuss the issues of larger interest and to prepare appropriate petitions/representations to the government.

    (b) Indian National Congress did not want to include social reforms in its deliberations and decided to form a separate body for such a purpose

    (c) BehramjiMalabari and M. G. Ranade decided to bring together all the social reform groups of the country under one organization

    (d) None of the statements (a), (b) and (c) given above is correct in this context

    • was founded by M.G. Ranade and Raghunath Rao. It was virtually the social reform cell of the Indian National Congress.
    • The Conference met annually as a subsidiary convention of the Indian National Congress, at the same venue, and focused attention on social reform.
    • The Conference advocated intercaste marriages and opposed kulinism and polygamy.
    • Not very sure of the answer. B seems like the best option

    Learning – Indian sociologist and societies for Indian freedom formed abroad, role of madam Bhikaji Kama and Shyamji Krishna Verma

    Pre 2011

    1. Which one of the following observations is not true about the Quit India Movement of 1942?

    (a.) It was a non-violent movement

    (b.) It was led by Mahatma Gandhi

    (c.) It was a spontaneous movement

    (d.) It did not attract the labour class in general

    • Repeat
    • It was clearly a very violent movement and was crushed very brutally

    Learning – three phases of quit India movement, parallel govt formation

    1. Which amongst the following provided a common factor for tribal insurrection in India in the 19th century?

    (a.) Introduction of a new system of land revenue and taxation- of tribal products

    (b.) Influence of foreign religious missionaries in tribal areas

    (c.) Rise of a large number of money lenders, traders and revenue farmers as middlemen in tribal areas

    (d.) The complete disruption of the old agrarian order of the tribal communities

    • Taxation of tribal products seems like a bogus option
    • Not every tribal area would have witnessed b and c
    • D is sum of everything

    Learning – major tribal and peasant movements, santhal and munda uprising, Eka, tebehaga, telangana movement, indigo revolt, Bardoli satyagraha

    1. Mahatma Gandhi said that some of his deepest convictions were reflected in a book titled, “Unto this Last” and the book transformed his life. What was the message from the book that transformed Mahatma Gandhi?

    (a.) Uplifting the oppressed and poor is the moral responsibility of an educated man

    (b.) The good of individual is contained in the good of all

    (c.) The life of celibacy and spiritual pursuit are essential for a noble life

    (d.) All the statements (a), (b) and (c) are correct in this context

    • Don’t lose sleep if you don’t know the answer
    • You can read the book for essay and ethics
    1. With reference to Indian freedom struggle, Usha Mehta is well-known for:

    (a.) Running the secret Congress Radio in the wake of Quit India Movement

    (b.) Participating in the Second Round Table Conference

    (c.) Leading a contingent of Indian National Army

    (d.) Assisting in the formation of Interim Government under Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru

    • B and d wouldn’t make anyone famous
    • A is true. Last phase of quit India movement was an underground phase. Usha mehta ran secret radio from somewhere in India

    Learning – stand of communists and congress socialists on word war 2 and quit India movement, working class participating in QIM v/s that in CDM

    1. What was the reason for Mahatma Gandhi to organize a satyagraha on behalf of the peasants of Kheda?
    1. The Administration did not suspend the land revenue collection in spite of a drought.
    2. The Administration proposed to introduce Permanent Settlement in Gujarat.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    (a.) 1 only

    (b.) 2 only

    (c.) Both 1 and 2

    (d.) Neither 1 nor 2

    • Repeat, covered in titbit
    • B is bogus option
    • A is correct

    Learning – Gandhiji’s first three satyagraha, other leaders involved in those satyagrahas

    1. The tendency for increased litigation was visible after the introduction of the land settlement system of Lord Cornwallis in 1793. The reason for this is normally traced to which of the following provisions?

    (a.) Making Zamindar’s position stronger vis-a-vis the ryot

    (b.)Making East India Company an overlord of Zamindars

    (c.) Making judicial system more efficient

    (d.)None of the (a), (b) and (c) above

    • reason was that the Court Fee was removed and now every body could drag anybody to courts.
    • The extension to right of appeal
    • Court fees were abolished
      Learning – Cornwallis code, reforms of Cornwallis

    7. With reference to the period of colonial rule in India, “Home Charges” formed an important part of drain of wealth from India. Which of the following funds constituted “Home Charges”?

    1. Funds used to support the India Office in London.
    2. Funds used to pay salaries and pensions of British personnel engaged in India.
    3. Funds used for waging wars outside India by the British.

    Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

    (a.) 1 only

    (b.) 1 and 2 only

    (c.) 2 and 3 only

    (d.) 1, 2 and 3

    Home charges means money spent by Britain in Britain on behalf of India. They included

    1. dividends on East India Stock
    2. interest in Home debt
    3. the salaries of the officer
    4. establishments of the and building connected with the Home Department of Indian Government
    5. furlough and retired pay to members of the Indian Military and Civil Services when at Home
    6. Charges of all descriptions paid in this country connected with the British troops serving in India and
    7. portion of the cost of transporting the British troops to and from India

    I am not so sure about statement 3. Funds used for waging war outside India as when British fought in wars nor do I find direct mention of it in home charges. EIC donated money to them. IMO statemnt 3 is wrong

    1. With reference to the period of Indian freedom struggle, which of the following was/were recommended by the Nehru report?
    1. Complete Independence for India.
    2. Joint electorates for reservation of seats for minorities.
    3. Provision of fundamental rights for the people of India in the Constitution.

    Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

    (a.) 1 only

    (b.) 2 and 3 only

    (c.) 1 and 3 only

    (d.) 1, 2 and 3

    • Covered in titbit
    • 1 is wrong. It demanded dominion status which was a point of disagreement b/W moderates v/s more radical young leaders like Nehru and Subhash

    Learning – Nehru report, swaraj resolution, poorna swaraj resolution, dominon status offer, independence status offer

    1. What was the purpose with which Sir William Wedderburn and W. S. Caine had set up the Indian Parliamentary Committee in 1893?

    (a.) To agitate for Indian political reforms in the House of Commons

    (b.) To campaign for. the entry of Indians into the Imperial Judiciary

    (c.) To facilitate a discussion on India’s Independence in the British Parliament

    (d.) To agitate for the entry of eminent Indians into the British Parliament

    • D is bogus, who would demand such things
    • C is bogus. Not even Indian leaders were demanding independence at that time
    • B is also bogus. Anyone would first demand more Indians in higher Indian judiciary than imperial judiciary
    • A makes sense. Indian political reform was the favour of day then. Congress was demanding that. They also demanded same thing but this time in British parliament/ house of commons

    Leading – achievement of moderates

  • UPSC Prelims Modern History Trend Analysis: Part 2

    Pre 2014

    1. The Partition of Bengal made by Lord Curzon in 1905 lasted until
    1. the First World War when Indian troops were needed by the British and the partition was ended.
    2. King George V abrogated Curzon’s Act at the Royal Darbar in Delhi in 1911
    3. Gandhiji launched his Civil Disobedience Movement
    4. the Partition of India, in 1947 when East Bengal became East Pakistan
    • All other options are absolutely bogus options
    • This was the 1st real victory of nationalist movement. British had to eat humble pie and annul the partition
    • In 1911 King George V visited India and  A royal durbar was held @Delhi
    • The capital of India is transferred from Calcutta to Delhi
    • It was held three times, in 1877, 1903, and 1911 and only the last time the sovereign attended it.

    Learning – When was Queen Victoria proclaimed as empress of India? 1st Darbar and Great famine of 1876 -78 and Lord Lytton, Annulment of partition and its role in reunification of Congress

    1. The 1929 Session of Indian, National Congress is of significance in the history of the Freedom Movement because the
    1. attainment of Self-Government was declared as the objective of the Congress
    2. attainment of Poorna Swaraj Was adopted as the goal of the Congress
    3. Non-Cooperation Movement was launched
    4. decision to participate in the Round Table Conference in London was taken
    • Repeat, covered in titbits
    • Poorna swaraj goal
    • NCM was in 1920
    • Congress did not even participate in 1st RTC. This decision was taken after Gandhi- Irwin pact

    Learning – Swaraj resolution, Poorna Swaraj resolution, Dominion status v/s Independent status

    1. The Ghadr (Ghadar) was a
    1. Revolutionary association of Indians with headquarters at San Francisco.
    2. nationalist organization operating from Singapore
    3. militant organization with headquarters at Berlin
    4. communist movement for India’s freedom with head-quarters at Tashkent
    • Simple question. On the east coast of USA, San Francisco. There was a newspaper/ pamphlet by similar name
    • This is a very important topic for this year as PM of Canada apologised officially for the incident

    Learning – komagata maru incident, Canadian PM apology, failure of ghadar movement, name of most prominent leaders of this movement

    1. What was/were the object/objects of Queen Victoria’s Proclamation (1858)?
    1. To disclaim any intention to annex Indian States
    2. To place the Indian administration under the British Crown
    3. To regulate East India Company’s trade with India

    Select the correct answer using the code given below.

    1. 1 and 2 only
    2. 2 only
    3. 1 and 3 only
    4. 1, 2 and 3
    • Regulation of trade had already been done. Now politically directly under crown
    • The announcement reversed Lord Dalhousie’s pre-war policy of political unification through princely state annexation <doctrine of lapse>

    Learning – act of 1773, 1813 and this proclamation very important, Doctrine of lapse, first state to fall under doctrine of lapse, doctrine of subsidiary alliance, first state to fall prey to doctrine of subsidiary alliance, Contribution of Lord Dalhousie to India 

    1. The Radcliffe Committee was appointed to
    1. solve the problem of minorities in India
    2. give effect to the Independence Bill
    3. delimit the boundaries between India and Pakistan
    4. enquire into the riots in East Bengal

    Simple – Radcliffe was the jurist hence the boundary known by his name

    Learning – how was the decision to go to Pakistan or stay with India taken? McMahon line and Shimla accord, LOC v/s LAC v/s AGPL, Durand line

    Prelims 2013

    1. With reference to Indian History, the Members of the Constituent Assembly from the Provinces were:

    (a) directly elected by the people of those Provinces

    (b) nominated by the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League

    (c) elected by the Provincial Legislative Assemblies

    (d) selected by the Government for their expertise in constitutional matters

    • Question repeated in CAPF 2016
    • Indirect election it was <one of the criticism that members were not even elected by people. In fact even members of provincial assembly who elected them were themselves elected by jut 10% of the voting age population as the Franchise was very limited>

    Learning – Imp. committees of constituent assembly, Cabinet mission plan and interim cabinet

    1. The people of India agitated against the arrival of Simon Commission because
    1. Indians never wanted the review of the working of the Act of 1919
    2. Simon Commission recommended the abolition of  Dyarchy (Diarchy) in the Provinces
    3. there was no Indian member in the Simon Commission
    4. the Simon Commission suggested the partition of the country

    Very simple, covered in titbit

    Learning – Why did Simon commission even visited India, Recommendation of Simon commission, Nehru report in response to Simon commission, Controversy on Nehru Report, J.L. Nehru’s objection to Nehru report, Jinnah’s objection to Nehru report, Gandhi- Irwin pact

    1. Quit India Movement was launched in response to
    1. Cabinet Mission Plan
    2. Cripps Proposals
    3. Simon Commission Report
    4. Wavell Plan
    • Quit India movement was launched in aug 1942
    • Cabinet mission in 1946 -wrong
    • Wavell plan or Shimla conference – 1945 – wrong
    • Simon Comission report – after 1928, before 1932
    • Cripps mission – March 1942, answer is obvious

    Learning – Cripps proposals, proposed dominion or independent status? Why did it fail? Why was Cripps even sent to India?, Post dated cheque on failing bank?, Failure of Wavell plan?, Learn sequence o events from 2nd world war carefully, august offer, Rajgoplachari plan, Mount Baton plan and all

    1. The demand for the Tebhaga Peasant Movement in Bengal was for
    1. the reduction of the share of the landlords from one-half of the crop to one-third
    2. the grant of ownership of land to peasants as they were the actual cultivators of the land
    3. the uprooting of Zamindari system and the end of serfdom
    4. writing off all peasant debts
    • Covered in titbit
    • tebhaga means 3 parts
    • in 1946 the sharecroppers of Bengal began to assert that they would no longer pay a half share of their crops to Jotedars but only 1/3rd and that before division
    • the crop would be stored in their khamars (Godowns) and not that of the Jotedars

    Learning – important peasant revolts, working class movements, Bardoli Satyagaraha, Eka movement, Indigo revolt

    1. Annie Besant was
    1. responsible for starting the Home Rule Movement
    2. the founder of the Theosophical Society
    3. Once the President of the Indian National Congress

    Select the correct statement/statements using the codes given below.

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 and 3 only
    3. 1 and 3 only
    4. 1, 2 and 3
    • Tilak started Home Rule league in April 1916 while Annie Besant launched her Home Rule league in September 1916
    • Theosophical Society was founded by Madam Blavatsky and Colonel Olcott 1875.Annie Besant joined the team much later, in 1889
    • She was in fact 1st woman president of INC. This fact has been asked many times

    Learning – Theosophical society, contribution of Annie Besant

    1. The Ilbert Bill controversy was related to the
    1. imposition restrictions the Indians of certain to carry arms by Indians
    2. imposition of restrictions on newspapers and magazines published in Indian languages
    3. removal of disqualifications imposed on the Indian magistrates with regard to the trial of the Europeans
    4. removal of a duty on imported cotton cloth
    • Earlier Indian judges could not try Europeans
    • The Illbert Bill (1883) of lord Rippon sought to empower the Indian judges to try Europeans in criminal cases.

    Learning – Lord Rippon v/s Lord Lytoon, Vernacular press act, arms act, first factory act, Anglo – Afghan war, reforms brought by lord Rippon, reforms brought by lord Mayo

  • Open Discussion for Full Length Mock #2

    What’s this?

    Discussion blog page for those who just attempted FL#2. Discussion is open for any question which you had a doubt about, brainstorming on ways to arrive at a particular answer, any other interesting tit bit that you may share etc.

    Where are the prelims mocks held?

    Go to the link and start attempting the mocks. Click here. 100 Questions – True to UPSC pattern.

    When will the detailed explanations be uploaded?

    The detailed explanations will be provided to subscribers only. You can find the explanation pdf uploaded on the Document centre within the portal on the coming Sunday.

  • CAPF 2016 History Solutions and Analysis

    Three Quick Points

    1. This is solution and analysis of CAPF history portion conducted couple of weeks back
    2. Most of the questions were on typical UPSC pattern from oft repeated topics and doable
    3. Analysis of past 7 years prelims history portion ( 2015 to 2009) would be done in coming days

    1. Which of the following statements about the Swadeshi movement in Bengal in 1905 are correct?
    1. It was marked by the mass mobilization through the organization of ‘Samitis”
    2. It was marked by the mass mobilization through labour strikes
    3. It advocated a constructive programme of self help or ‘atmashakti’
    4. In the sphere of education, national schools were established
    Select the correct answer using the code given below:
    (a) 1, 2 and 3 only
    (b) 1 and 4 only
    (c) 2, 3 and 4 only
    (d) 1, 2 , 3 and 4

    • Swadeshi is an oft repeated topic.
    • All are true. everything seems true – if you try to imagine Swadeshi – Boycott movement.
    • They are written even in the summary of Spectrum modern India book.

    Learning –– Swadeshi movement, Split in congress, reunification, SUMMARY OF ALL CHAPTERS FROM SPECTRUM IS MUST -YOU MUST REMEEMBER EVERY WORD WRITTEN IN SUMMARY BY HEART

    2. Which of the following was/were the features of the Quit India Movement?
    1. From the very beginning , it was rural revolt
    2. It was essentially a moderate movement
    3. It was marked by the unprecedented use of violence
    4. It was marked by acute state repression
    Select the correct answer using the code given below:
    (a) 1only
    (b) 1 and 2
    (c) 3 and 4 only
    (d) 1, 3 and 4

    • 2 is definitely wrong as it was a spontaneous, very violent protest movement.  In any case, 2 and 3 are contradictory so only one of them can be true
    • 4 is definitely true as it was marked by acute state repression
    • Now check 1, it seems untrue. It was rural revolt from the beginning implies, it remained a rural revolt through out. But in fact, it moved in phases <3 phases actually>

    Learning – Quit India movement, phases of movement, compare and contrast imp. features of Non cooperation movement, civil disobedience movement and Quit India movement

    3. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code given below Lists:
    List I List II
    (Author) (Book)
    A. Dadabhai Naoroji 1. Essays on Indian Economics
    B. Prafulla Chandra Ray 2. Poverty and UnBritish Rule in India
    C. Mahadev Govind Ranade 3. Economic History of India
    D. R.C.Dutt 4. The Poverty Problem in India
    Code:
    A B C D
    (a) 2 4 1 3
    (b) 3 1 4 2
    (c) 2 1 4 3
    (d) 3 4 1 2

    • Repeat
    • Nairoji – Poverty and unbritish rule,  a-2, so only a and c left,
    • Knowing about R C dutt won’t help
    • But Ranade is also very famous – Essays on Indian economics, i.e c-1

    Learning – Economic, trade and financial imperialism of British

    4. Which of the following statements about the founding of the Indian National Congress (INC) is / are correct?
    1. The INC was formed in Bombay 1885
    2. The first president of the INC W.C.Banerjee
    Select the correct answer using the given below:
    (a) 1 only
    (b) 2 only
    (c) Both 1 and 2
    (d) Neither 1 nor 2

    • Repeat, very simple
    • Can’t afford to mark such questions wrong

    Learning – Imp. congress sessions from titbits

    5. Consider the following statements about the Santhal Hool of 1855-56:
    1. The Santhals were in a desperate situation as tribal lands were leased out
    2. The Santhal rebels were treated very leniently by British officials
    3. Santhal inhabited areas eventually constituted into separate administrative units called Santhal parganas
    4. The Santhal rebellion was the only major rebellion in mid 19th century India
    Which of the statements given above is / are correct?
    (a) 1 only
    (b) 2 and 3
    (c) 1, 3 and 4
    (d) 1 and 3 only

    • 4, only , red flag, pause and think, obviously wrong. There were so many revolts at that time <1857>
    • 2 is also wrong, British officials did not treat any rebels leniently
    • Now look at 3rd, yes Santhal Parganas was formed

    Learning – Imp. tribal and peasant revolts, Santhal, Munda, Tebhaga, Bardoli

    6. Who among the following founded the Atmiya Sabha in 1815 ?
    (a) Keshab Chandra Sen
    (b) Debendranath Tagore
    (c) Ram Mohan Roy
    (d) Bijoy Krishna Goswami

    Simple, D.N. Tagore – Tattvabodhini Sabha, K.C. Sen – Brahmo samaj of India

    Learning – names and founders of all imp socio religious reform movements, Books written by R.R.M Roy, Brahmo samaj v/s Arya Samaj, Split in Brahmo Samaj and Arya Samj

    7. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the Permanent Settlement?
    (a) The Permanent Settlement vested landownership right in the Zamindar
    (b) The Permanent Settlement continued to pay attention to the customary occupancy rights of peasants
    (c) The burden of the high revenue assessment was shifted to the peasants under the Permanent Settlement
    (d) The condition of the actual cultivators of the land declined under Permanent Settlement

    • a and b are contradictory
    • It is also known as Zamindari system so obviously a is true

    Learning – salient features, geographical spread and initiators of all 3 land revenue systems

    8) Which of the following is / are characteristic(s) of the Ryotwari system?
    1. It was the brainchild of Thomas Munro
    2. It was meant to reduce intermediaries
    3. Cultivating peasants were gradually impoverished by the system
    4. It was introduced in parts of Madras and Bengal Presidency
    Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
    (a) 1 only
    (b) 1, 2 and 3
    (c) 2 and 4 only
    (d) 2 , 3 and 4

    • You all know, permanent settlement was introduced in Bengal
    • Peasants were impoverished in every system, 3 is true
    • Eliminate 4, include 3, only option b
    • Other 2 options are also true

    Learning – salient features, geographical spread and initiators of all 3 land revenue systems

    9. Which of the following is / are characteristics of the debate between ‘Anglieists’ and ‘Orientalists’ in the 1830’ ?
    1. The Anglicists wanted to cut the money being spent on printing Sanskrit and Arabic texts
    2. The Anglicists wanted to cut the money spent on printing Sanskrit texts and wished to continue to print in Persian
    3. The Orientalists wanted stipend for the students of Arabic and Sanskrit
    4. The Orientalists started a new Sanskrit College in Delhi
    Select the correct answer using the code given below:
    (a) 1only
    (b) 1 3, and 4
    (c) 1 and 3 only
    (d) 2 , 3 and 4

    • You know the meaning of anglicists – who belived in superiority of European race and their language while orientalist thought there was much to learn from native Oriental languages
    • 1 and 3 seems correct by that logic
    • 2 would be wrong
    • 4 is factual, there was Sanskrit college in Kolkata not in Delhi, In delhi there was Oriental college

    Learning – Charter act of 1813 and spread of education and missionaries in India, Maucalay’s vision of education. Woods dispatch,

    10. Who among the following British ethnographers launched the Survey of India project in the 1860’s ?

    • (a) Hunter
    • b) Dufferin
    • (c) Risley
    • (d) Thurston

    Don’t take any load if you don’t know the answer but Dufferin must be eliminated as he was governor general

    11) Which of the following statements about ‘Barnaparichay’ a mid 19th century Bengali text is/are correct?
    1. It was written by Raja Rammohan Roy
    2. It was the most widely used Bengali primer of the time
    Select the correct answer using the code given below:
    (a) 1only
    (b) 2 only
    (c) Both 1 and 2
    (d) Neither 1 nor 2

    • You must know every book written by Ram Mohan Roy. If you did, you wold know, it wasn’t written by him
    • It was written by Ishwar Chand VidyaSagar
    • 2 is true, name, Barnaparichay says it all
    • Don’t take too much load if you din’t know the answer

    Learning – Books written by Ram Mohan Roy, Newspapers, Translations, Organizations, colege established,  his views on sacred Indian texts

    12. Which of the following statements about the Champaran Satyagrah is / are correct?
    1. The Champaran region had a long tradition of anti-planter discontent and agitation
    2. Mahatma Gandhi gave all India publicity to the grievances of Champaran cultivators
    3. The cultivators of Champaran had protested against excessive taxation on sugar
    Select the correct answer using the code given below:

    1only
    (b) 1 and 2 only
    (c) 2 and 3 only
    (d) 1 , 2 and 3

    • Repeat
    • Champaran, teenkathia system, indigo, eliminate 3
    • 2 is obviously true.
    • Answer is clear

    Learning – Gandhi’s 1st 3 satyahraha, Other leaders involved in Satyagraha

  • CAPF 2016 – Economy, Environment and Bio-sciences solutions and Analysis

    Economy 

    1. During 2014-2015, in which one of the following industrial sectors, the FDI equity inflow was maximum?
    (a) Telecommunications
    (b) Services (Financial, Banking and Insurance, Non-Financial/ Business R&D etc.)
    (c) Drugs and Pharmaceuticals
    (d) Hotel and Tourism

    • During CSE analysis, I mentioned sectors receiving maximum FDI are important as are the countries from which maximum FDI arrives.
    • It has been in news again and again that despite make in India push, maximum FDI in services

    Learning – Descending order of FDI service wise and country wise, FDI and DTAA, India-Singapore DTAA v/s India – Mauritius DTAA
    2. Which one of the following is not industrial corridor as per the policy initiatives?
    (a) Amritsar – Kolkata
    (b) Delhi – Mumbai
    (c) Kolkata – Guwahati
    (d) Chennai – Bengaluru

    • Industrial and freight corridors very important.
    • If you don’t know the answer, Kolkata- Guwahati corridor is not possible as B’desh is present in the route. You all know about something called Siliguri corridor.

    Learning – Siliguri corridor, North – South corridor , East – West corridor, Diamond quadrilateral, DMIC, CBIC, BCIM, which country is sponsoring which corridor

    1. Which of the following are the objectives of the Khadi and Village Industrial commission?
      1. To provide employment in rural areas
      2. To produce saleable articles
      3. To create self reliance amongst people and building up a strong rural community spirit
      Select the correct answer using the code given below:
      (a) 1, 2 and 3
      (b) 1 and 2 only
      (c) 2 and 3 only
      (d) 1 and 3 only
    • 1 and 3 are obvious.
    • It also produces saleable articles <it’s economic objective, 1st is social objective, 3rd is wider objective>
    • Is KVIC statutory?

    Learning – Khadi v/s hand loom textile v/s power loom textile, MSME v/s cottage industry
    4. Which one of the following cities hosted the Tenth Ministerial Conference of World Trade Organisation Conference of World Trade Organisation during December 2015?
    (a) Geneva
    (b) Manila
    (c) Helsinki
    (d) Nairobi

    Simple. You must now the location and outcome of meeting of all the important international organisations.

    1. Which of the following statements about ‘Nairobi Package’ adopted in the Tenth Miniserial Conference of WTO is / are correct?
      1. No safeguard mechanism for developing country members
      2. Preferential rules of origin for least developed countries
      3. Public stock holding for food security purposes
      Select the correct answer using the code given below:
      (a) 1only
      (b) 1 and 2 only
      (c) 2 and 3 only
      (d) 1, 2 and 3
    • You must know salient outcomes of important meetings.
    • 1 is definitely wrong as there was some concession on SSM though modalities could not be agreed upon. Eliminate it, you reach the answer

    Learning – Nairobi package, SSM, SP, S&D, safeguard duties, AoA, Bali package, trade facilitation

    6. Which of the following pairs of Scheme and Target Group, as initiated in the Railway Budget 2016, is / are correctly matched?
    Scheme Target Group
    1. Antyodaya Express : For the Reserved Passengers
    2. Deen Dayalu Coaches: For the Unreserved Passengers
    3. Humsafar : For the Reserved Passengers’
    4. Tejas : For the Unreserved Passengers
    Select the correct answer using the code given below:
    (a) 1 , 2 and 3
    (b) 2 and 3 only
    (c) 3 and 4
    (d) 2 only

    • Antyodaya that is for the last one, obviously poor so obviously unreserved train
    • Tejas i.e Tej i.e Fast so obviously reserved super fast
    • Deen – Dayalu again for the poor – unreserved
    • Humsafar is dicey

    Learning – Highlights of Union budget and Rail budget

    Environment and Biological Sciences

    1. The largest greenhouse gas leakage in the US history took place in February 2016. The gas was :
    (a) Carbon dioxide
    (b) Methane
    (c) Chlorofluorocarbon
    (d) Nitrous oxide

    • Only natural gas / methane leaks. It is found underground.
    • Co2, CFC and N2O won’t leak

    Learning – GHGs under Kyoto, Global warming potential of various gases

    2. The ‘Paris Agreement’ adopted in Conference of the Parties (COP 21) in December 2015 will be effective provided the document is signed by :
    (a) 51 UNFCCC parties accounting for at least 51% of global greenhouse gas emission
    (b) 51 UNFCCC parties accounting for at least 55% of global greenhouse gas emission
    (c) 55 UNFCCC parties accounting for at least 55% of global greenhouse gas emission
    (d) 75 UNFCCC parties accounting for at least 51% of global greenhouse gas emission

    • You have to remember it. Was very much in the news as Donald Trump vowed not to ratify the deal
    • Was also there in newscards

    3. Ramsar Convention , to which India is a signatory is related to conservation and wise use of :

    (a) wetlands b)genetic resources
    (c) mines
    (d) forest lands

    Repeat question – Ramsar wetlands

    Learning – Other environmental conventions and treaties <covered in titbits>

    4. process of using microbes to treat areas of land or sea that have been contaminated by
    pesticides, oil or solvents is known as
    (a) Eutrophication
    (b) Nitrification
    (c) Ammonification (d) Bioremediation

    • Nitrification and ammonification is common sense
    • Eutrophication has been asked multiple times
    • It’s bioremediation

    Learning – Eutrophication, algal bloom, phytoremediation, Nitrogen fixing bacteria, denitrification

    5. Which one of the following is the correct taxonomic hierarchy?
    (a) Kingdom – phylum – order – genus – family – class – species
    (b) Kingdom – order – class – phylum – family – genus – species
    (c) Kingdom – class – order – phylum – family – species – genus
    (d) Kingdom – phylum – class – order – family – genus – species

    • Species is the smallest unit, c is eliminated
    • Genus related to genes would be just above species, c eliminated
    • Phylum just below kingdom,< phylum vertebrata >

    6. The subunits of DNA are known as :
    (a) Nucleotide
    (b) Nucleosome (c) Nucleoside
    (d) Polypeptide

    • 8th class NCERT is enough
    • DNA – Deoxy ribo nucleotide so obviously answer would be nucleotide

    Learning – DNA v/s RNA, Nucleoside v/s Nucleotide, Protein v/s peptide v/s amino acid

    7. Vaccination involves:
    (a) injecting the body with materials that stimulate the body to produce antibodies
    (b) injecting the body with materials that stimulate the body to produce antigen
    (c) the use of monoclonal antibodies cure a disease
    (d) use of antibiotics to cure diseases

    • Vaccination means providing protective immunity
    • Antigen is agent which causes disease so inject attenuated / dead antigen so that antibody is produced in the body
    • Was very much in news due to OPV/IPV, new vaccine introduction

    Learning – OPV v/s IPV, Switch over day, 4 new vaccines in UIP

    8) Which of the following are examples of carnivorous plants?
    (a) Sundew Venus fly trap, Pitcher plant
    (b) Cuscuta , Rafflesia Mistletoe
    (c) Sandalwood tree, Broom rape, Pitcher plant
    (d) Cuscuta, Bladderwort, Mistletoe

    NCERT botany last 4 chapters ecology

    9. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists:
    List I List II
    (Isotope) (Application)
    A. Carbon 1. Treatment of goiter
    B. Cobalt 2. Calculation of age of the earth
    C. Iodine 3. Treatment of cancer
    D. Uranium 4. Fuel in nuclear reactors
    Code:
    A B C D
    (a) 2 3 1 4
    (b) 2 1 3 4
    (c) 4 1 3 2
    (d) 4 3 1 2

    • Uranium – nuclear fuel is easy peasy, eliminate c and d
    • Iodene – goitre is also very easy so c -1,
    • only option is a

    Learning – Role of iodine, Cobalt, Gd, Vitamins and diaereses

    10. Which one of the following statements regarding Zika virus is not correct?
    (a) It was first isolated from a monkey is the Zika forest of Uganda
    (b) It is transmitted by daytime-active Aedes mosquitoes
    (c) It does not cause mother to child infection  (d) Zika virus in pregnant women result in abnormal brain development of the fetus.

    • C and D contradict each other, one has to be true
    • All the concern is due to abnormal brain development of the fetus – microcephaly and all

    Learning – Mode of transmission of Zika, other diseases caused by Aedes, Japanese encephalitis and it’s vaccine

  • Open Discussion for Full Length Mock #1

    What’s this?

    Discussion blog page for those who just attempted FL#1. Discussion is open for any question which you had a doubt about, brainstorming on ways to arrive at a particular answer, any other interesting tit bit that you may share etc.

    Where are the prelims mocks held?

    Go to the link and start attempting the mocks. Click here. 100 Questions – True to UPSC pattern.

    When will the detailed explanations be uploaded?

    The detailed explanations will be provided to subscribers only. You can find the explanation pdf uploaded on the Document centre within the portal on the coming Sunday.